Dental Hygienist Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $82,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $82,195/year (≈ $39.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $84,650 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Des Plaines, IL, the projected 2026 median annual salary for dental hygienists is set at $82,195, reflecting the local demand for this profession. While the salary range for these roles varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $63,240 and the top 90% earning as much as $103,950, the overall outlook suggests steady compensation. These figures are bolstered by estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, which take into account the job market dynamics unique to the area. With only 12 dental hygienists currently employed in this locale, there may be room for entry-level professionals, as this number implies a relatively tight market for available positions.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,078) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,240 | $30.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,981 | $32.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,195 | $39.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,257 | $43.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,950 | $49.97 |
Median Salary Position
20.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,710 (2026 est.). At $82,195, the local median is 20.16% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $82,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $85,000 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.16% less |
Dental Hygienists in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $82,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.16% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $85,000.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $82,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,650 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,088
2025 BLS Actual
$78,326
2026 Current Est.
$82,195
2020–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Des Plaines (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,088 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,366 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,452 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,077 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,326 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,256 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 7.2% from $73,088 (2020) to $78,326 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,256 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,168 (18.02%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,240 – $67,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,981 – $82,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,195 – $90,257 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,257 – $103,950 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Des Plaines
The dental hygienist salary in Des Plaines is closely intertwined with the local cost of living, which sits at an index of 97.1, slightly below the national average. This relatively low cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of dental hygienists in the area, despite salaries that average lower than the national median. In Des Plaines, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer higher pay compared to solo dental practices, thanks in part to structured benefits and production bonuses tied to patient retention. Factors contributing to the significant pay spread include full-time versus part-time schedules and the presence of sign-on bonuses for new graduates in DSO settings. For those aiming to maximize their pay, actively seeking positions with DSOs and utilizing negotiation tactics grounded in current market data could provide advantageous leverage in this evolving field.
More salary data for Des Plaines, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,326 for dental hygienistsin the Des Plaines metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Des Plaines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov